Titanium-coated hollow screw and reconstruction plate system (THORP) in mandibular reconstruction

Abstract

Clinical results are presented which have been obtained from mandibular reconstruction with the Titanium-coated Hollow Screw and Reconstruction-Plate system (THORP) in 7 selected patients. In 3 of the patients primary bone grafting was performed with simultaneous implantation of titanium fixtures for dental reconstruction. The reconstruction-plates have shown excellent functional stability with no failures, such as loosening of screws, within an observation period up to 2 1/2 years. The system was submitted to immediate full functional loading despite the limited number of 2-3 fixation screws for each end of the plate. Among several technical advantages of the system are the possibility of lingual plate application and reconstruction with a three-dimensionally free, adjustable condylar prosthesis.